Press Release

FORT MYERS, FL - In February and March, hundreds of at-risk students from 17 schools in Southwest Florida who may have never considered going to college will visit Florida Gulf Coast University during College Exploration Days to learn about the opportunities that are available to them to further their educations beyond high school.

Offered by the FGCU College Reach Out Program, the students will tour the FGCU campus to learn how the University can meet their needs, gain information on programs and procedures, and learn about some of the academic and athletic opportunities that are on the campus.

CROP was established by the Florida legislature in 1983 to identify, motivate and prepare disadvantaged middle and high school students to complete post-secondary education. The purpose of the program is to increase the number of low and middle income first-generation college graduates.

FGCU offers many learning events for CROP members such as SAT workshops and a financial aid workshop, as well as fun events such as A Night With the Eagles basketball game for free and A Night at the Theater.

CROP students also volunteer for community service projects such as recycling printer and copier cartridges at FGCU and participating CROP schools, blood drives, assisting with the Lions Club eye glass drive, serving pancakes Saturdays at the Lions Club Center, and participating in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life fundraiser.

The 17 schools participating in the 11 College Exploration Days each have a CROP program within their institutions.

College Exploration Days are Feb. 12, 18, 24 and 26, and March 17, 18, 23, 24, 25, 30 and 31.